Foldable table and seating structure

ABSTRACT

A foldable table adapted to fold upwardly centrally thereof having as an improvement in connection therewith an attachable seating structure to provide seats co-extensive with said table at each side thereof, sand seating structure being foldable unitarily with said table and corresponding to the thickness thereof, being detachably secured thereto and being adjustable as to height compatible with the height of said table and being adjustable as to height independently of said table.

Gutierrez [54] FOLDABLE TABLE AND SEATING STRUCTURE [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

Julian Gutierrez, 6233 Brookview Ave, Minneapolis, Minn. 55424 Feb. 17,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 227,135

[52] U.S. Cl. 297/159, 108/113 [51] Int. Cl A471) 3/14 [58] Field ofSearch 108/111-113, 108/134, 37; 297/159, 157

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,112,954 12/1963 Kanitz297/159 3,337,262 8/1967 Katzfey et a1 297/15'9 2.936.820 5/1960 Blinket a1. 297/159 2.878.859 3/1959 Howe et al 297/159 2.893.474 7/1959Bobbish i 297/159 2.992.043 7/1961 Nelson 297/159 Mar. 19, 19743.055.705 9/1962 Wilson 297/159 3.099.480 7/1963 Wilson 3,511,532 5/1970Tringali..... 3,715,143 2/1973 Gerken 297/159 Primary Examiner-Paul R.Gilliam Assistant Examiner-G. O. Finch Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reif andGregory 5 7 ABSTRACT A foldable table adapted to fold upwardly centrallythereof having as an improvement in connection therewith anattachableseating structure to provide seats co-extensive with saidtable at each side thereof,

sand seating structure being foldable unitarily with i 2 Claims, 27Drawing Figures PATENIEB "AR 1 9 I974 SHEET 3 BF 8 PAIENTED MR 1 9 I974sum 7 0r 8 In.n\ v

FOLDABLE TABLE AND SEATING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION Various folding tables have been developed in the artembodying the use of adjacent or attendant seating structures.

The improvement herein is present in providing detachable seats for afolding table which unitarily fold with said table and which seats maybereadily removed from said table, which may be adjusted as to heightcorresponding to adjustments in height of the table and alsoindependently thereof, and which may be folded with the table to have aheight co-extensive therewith and a thickness corresponding therewith.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement in a verysimply arranged seating structure for attachment to and use with afoldable table of the type which is foldable upwardly centrally thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a seating structure inconnection'with a foldable table, said seating structure to be usedintegrally with said table and to be readily detachable therefrom topermit the use of said table free of any seating structure or seatsupporting structure.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a seatingstructure in connection with a folding table, said seating structurecomprising brackets detachably secured to said table to removablysupport seats coextensive with said table and unitarily foldabletherewith.

Stated generally the invention herein in connection with a tablestructure comprising a table foldable upwardly centrally thereofconsists of a seating structure at each side of said table co-extensivetherewith, each of said seating structures consisting of a pair ofseating members, central seat supporting means consisting of a pair ofinterengaging members having relative axial movement with one of saidinterengaging members being hingedly secured to the adjacent end of saidpair of seating members, the other of said interengaged members having apair of links extending upwardly therefrom being pivotally secured tosaid seating members spaced somewhat from the adjacent ends thereof, apair of support members adjacent each end of said seating members, eachof said supporting members having a cross member disposed thereon, aholding member at the underside of each of said seating members adjacentthe remote ends thereof adapted to slidingly receive said cross membersof said supporting members and means removably securing said seatmembers to said table structure and said seat members being foldableunitarily with said table structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several view and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the structure herein;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 asindicated;

FIG. 3 is a view in end elevation taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 asindicated;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 asindicated;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with the structure thereinbeing shown in a partially folded position;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1 asindicated;

FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section of a detail of structure on anenlarged scale taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5 as indicated;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation of the structure herein in foldedposition showing portions thereof in dotted line;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 in end elevation;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are companion broken views in end and is side elevationand in bottom plan showing a modification of a detail of structure;

FIG. 2 is a broken view in side elevation similar to that of FIG. 1showing a modification;

FIG. 13 is a broken view in vertical section on an enlarged scale takenon line l3 of FIG. 12 showing alternate positions of portions thereof indotted line;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 12 asindicated;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are broken views in elevation taken as on line 15-15of FIG. 13 showing alternate positions;

FIG. 18 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken online 18-18 of FIG. 13 as indicated;

FIG. 19 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on line19-19 of FIG. 13 as indicated;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing a modification of thestructure thereof;

FIG. 21 is a broken view in vertical section on an en-- larged scaletaken on line 21-21 of FIG. 20 as indicated;

FIG. 22 is a view in side elevation showing the seating structure ofFIG. 12 in a partially removed condition;

FIG. 23 is a broken view similar to FIG. 14 showing another modificationof the structure thereof;

FIG. 24 is a broken view in elevation taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 23 asindicated;

FIG. 25 is a broken view in perspective on an enlarged scale showing adetail of structure;

FIG. 26 is a broken view in vertical section on an enlarged scaleshowing a detail of structure; and

F IG. 27 is a view in perspective on an enlarged scale showing a detailof structure.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. l-9, a foldabletable and seating structure 10 is shown. The table structure 12 thereofcomprises a pair of top plate members 14 and 1S rectangular in plan inlongitudinally spaced relation with each of said plate members havingdisposed thereunder opposed pairs of rails 18 and 20 adjacent eitherside edge portion thereof and extending lengthwise thereof. The adjacentends of said rails are hingedly connected as at 22 and 24 here shown asoverlapping extended porting members are cross bars 40, 41 and 42.Consequently said bars -41 and said bars 41-42 respectively are linkingbars 45 and 46 rotatably connected at their respective ends to saidcross bars.

In the particular embodiment here described, bar members 49 and 50respectively underlie the members 30-31 and 36-37 and extend outwardlyof said table 12 at each side thereof. Said bar 49'is shown havingunstanding tubular members 52 and 53 at the ends thereof and integraltherewith, said members 52 and 53 having suitable supporting castors 54.The bar 501has upstanding terminal supporting tubular members 56 and 57suitably supported by castors 54. Carried at the upper ends of saidsupporting members 52, 53, 56 and 57 respectively are cross bar or armmembers 61-64.

The supporting members 33 and 34 are self-standing as indicated in Fig.4 having end caps or glides 58. Extending outwardly of said members 33and 34 are simply formed brackets 68 and 69 as illustrated and having ateach outer end thereof ground supported upstanding tubular members 71and 72 and extending outwardly thereof are handle members 77.

Said tubular members 71 and 72 have inner tubular members 73 and 74which have free upward movement and said members 73 and 74 carry uppercross members 75 and 76 and said cross members carry double plate hinges78 and 79.

The seating structure at one side of said table 12 is indicatedgenerally by 80 and is a mirror image of the seating structure 81 at theother side thereof which is.

described hereafter in further detail.

The seating structure 81 comprises a pair of elongated substantialrectangular plate like members 85 and 86.

Said seat members 85 and 86 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have-at theirremote end portions brackets 90 and 93 which will be suitably securedthereto and said brackets have downwardly angled oppositely extendingopen ended slotted plate portions 91 and 94 to slidingly receive thereinthe cross bars 62 and 64 as indicated in FIG. 2. r

A pair of depending link members 97 and 98 have their upper ends pivotedto conventional bifurcated bracket members 96 suitably secured to theunder side of said seating members 85 and 86 as illustrated and thelower ends thereof are pivotally removably secured as by thumb screws100 to the bifurcated ears 101 projecting oppositely from the lowerportion of said tubuiar member 72.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and an alternative means is shown for thestructure of the brackets 90 and 93 wherein an open ended channel membersuch as channel member 105 receives the cross bar 62. Said channelmember 105 comprises a pair of spaced angled members 106 and 107 havingretaining flanges as shown to receive and support therebetween saidcross bars such as cross bar 62.

OPERATION The table and seating structure is shown in FIG. 1 inhorizontal position for use. To be folded for storage purposes, thehandle 77 is grasped by hand and raised. The torsion bars operate tohave but little force required to raise the table upwardly centrally tothe positions as shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9. The links 97 and 98 r are ofsuch length that the seat members 85 and 86 are moved upwardly to reachthe same height as that of the folded table with said seat memberssliding upwardly of their supporting cross members as permitted by thebrackets 90 and 93 whereby in fully folded position the seatingstructure is. co-extensive in height with the height of said table 12and the inner tubular member 74 is raised upwardly relative to saidouter tubular member 72. The thickness of the folded seat structure isconfined to and corresponds to the thickness of the table in foldedcondition. By removing the thumb screws 100 from the ears 101, the seatmembers 85 and 86 may be lifted clear of the supporting seat structurefor separate storage if desired or for ready replacement of said seatmembers.

MODIFICATION Referring to FIGS. 12-19, a modification of the abovedescribed structure is shown and elements of structure therein identicalto those above described will be referred to or incorporated byreference in being indicated by like reference numerals.

The table structure 12 is here shown having a modified leg structure andin lieu of the leg members 30-31 and 36-37 which are supported by thecross members 49 and 50, said table structure 12 in the embodiment herepresented hasself-standing legs of which leg member 111 and itsattendant structure is representative and which leg member is shownsupported by castor 115.

Extending outwardly of said leg member 111 as at tendant structure is abracket member 117.

Said bracket 117 comprises anarcuate or half round channel member 120 ofsome length disposed in mating engagement with the outer surface portionof the leg member 111 and is secured thereto by a nutted bolt 121. Saidchannel member has a plurality of apertures 122 therethrough and saidleg member has a single aperture therethrough not here shown foralignment of apertures 122 therewith to receive said bolt 121 forvertical adjustment of said channel member relative to said leg memberfor height adjustment of the table. A

' cross member 124 shown asa straight tubular member extends outwardlyoff said channel member 120 and has at its extended end an upstandingtubular support or leg member 126 which has threaded upwardly into itslower end a height adjusting means 127 shown here as a leveling screw.

Said leg member 126 hasan inner tubular member 129 slidable therein witha plurality of apertures 130 extending through each of said membersadapted to receive a nutted bolt 121 therethrough for relative heightadjustment of said inner member 129. Said member l29c'arries cross bar62 which isslidably receivable into the bracket member 90.

In connection with said castor 115, reference is had to FIGS. 15-17wherein the stem portion 115A of said castor is shown carrying a pair ofspacing collars 115B and 115C whereby the leg 111 may be supported bysaid castor in connection with said spacing collars at variousheightsrelative thereto as shown.

Referringto FIG. 14, extending outwardly of leg member which isrepresentative of leg members modifying leg members 33 and 34 is anadjustable bracket 132 shown in lieu of the brackets 68 and 69. Thisbracket comprises a unitary cross member 134 which is like cross member69 but which at its inner end is integral with a semi-round channelmember 136 which mates with the outer side of the leg member 135 and issecured thereto through accommodating apertures by a nutted bolt 121which may be disposed selectively through apertures 140 of said channelmember to position said bracket at various heights relative to said leg135. Said leg member is shown having a height adjusting screw 127 inconnection therewith.

Said cross member 132 at its outer end has integral therewith a supportor leg member 143 having a slidable inner tubular member 144 as shown atFIG. 14 and the same is like the member 72 but has a height adjustingscrew 127 for adjustable support.

MODIFICATION Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, a modification is shown ofthe bracket structure 132 by the bracket structure 149 in which a curvedchannel member 150 is shown secured to the leg member 135 throughaccommodating apertures by nutted bolt 138. Additionally verticallyspaced apertures 152 are provided in channel member 150 for heightadjustment thereof relative to said leg 135. A tubular cross member 154extends outwardly to an upstanding tubular supporting or leg member 155integral therewith. Said tubular member 155 has an inner tubular member156 slidably disposed therethrough carrying at its upper end cross bar75 which forms a hinge pin for hinges 78 and at its lower end it has aheight adjusting screw 127. Extending outwardly of said member 155 atthe level of said cross member 154 is a handle 77. I

A collar 158 is disposed over said member 155 slidably thereof having athumb type set screw threaded thereinto as shown in FIG. 22, the member155 has an aperture 157 therethrough as has the inner tubular member 156and when said tubular members are positioned as in FIG. 20, saidapertures are in register. Said set screw 160 may be threaded inwardlyto engage only the member 155 or it may be threaded'inwardly further toalso engage the member 156 to hold the member 155 and member 156 ininterlocked position. Said collar 158 has apertured ears 158A to havethe link member 97 and 98 thereto as by rivets 151.

Thus when it is desired to remove the seats 85 and 86 the set screw 160is withdrawn sufficiently to permit the removal of the collar 158 fromthe member 155 and the member 156 is fully withdrawn from said member155. For folding the table and seating structure, the set screw ismerely withdrawn from engagement with the member 156 to permit therelative sliding movement thereof as shown in FIG. 5.

MODIFICATION Referring now to FIGS. 23-27, a further modification isshown of the bracket structure 132 by the bracket structure in which acurved channel member 171 is mated with the outer side portion of theleg member 135 to be secured thereto by nutted bolt 121 disposed throughan accommodating pair of apertures. A plurality of apertures 173 areprovided in the channel member 171 for vertical adjustment of thechannel member relative to said leg 135.

Extending outwardly of said channel member 171'are a pair of horizontalvertically spaced tubular members 175 which have secured to theirextended ends an elongated plate member 178. Slidably disposed over saidmember 178 to be normally positioned at the bottom thereof is a channelshaped collar 180 as illustrated in FIG. 27 having apertured ears 181projectng from the ends thereof as shown and a small rectangular boss183 projecting forwardly thereof and said collar and-boss are tapped toreceive a set screw 185. The links 97 and 98 are pivoted to said ears181. An angled support bracket 190 is provided having an upstanding wall191 slotted to receive said boss 183 and having a lower body portion 192extended to underlie said collar 180. Said wall 191 is apertured toreceive said set screw and leveling screw 127 is threaded into andsupports said bracket 190.

Slidably disposed over said plate member 178 to rest upon said collar180 is channel sliding member 192 having a handle 77 extending outwardlythereof and having an upward ear like projection 194 apertured to havedisposed therethrough the hinge bar 75.

Thus in raising the table seating structure into folded position, theset screw will be threaded into holding engagement with the plate member178 and as the handle 79 is raised the same folding action is present asshown in FIG. 5.-

When it is desired to remove the seats from the table structure, the setscrewis withdrawn from the plate member 178 and the collar 180. Thebracket is then free for removal and the member 192 and the collar 180slide free of the member 178 for removal which in effect is as what isshown in FIG. 22.

The detachable bracket members such as 117, 132, 149 and 170 are readilyremoved by removal of the bolt 121 and the table structure is usablefree of any projecting members.

There have been provided a simple, efficient and effective seatingstructure in connection with a centrally upwardly foldable tablestructure.

It will or course be understood that various changes may be made inform, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein which, generallystated, consists in an apparatus capable of carrying out the objectsabove set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed anddefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable seating structure in connection with a foldable table suchas is hinged centrally transversely thereof to fold upwardly and havinga central hinged support comprising a pair of central supporting legsand having a pair of supporting legs adjacent each end thereof, eachpair of said supporting legs being disposed transversely of said table,having in combination a pair of brackets extending outwardly of each ofsaid central supporting legs, said brackets each having secured at theouter ends thereof floor engaging supporting legs, I

said floor engaging legs each comprising a pair of vertically disposedinterengaging members arranged and constructed to have relative verticalmovethe adjacent ends of each pair of said plate members beingrespectively secured to said hinge means,

means in connection with the remote end portions of each'of said platemembers respectively slidingly receiving and accommodating said crossmembers,

a pair of link members connecting the adjacent ends of each pair of saidplate members with each of the lower of said interengaged members,

each pair of said link members being spaced apart at their points ofattachment with said plate members and with regard to their respectivelengths that when said table with seats are folded upwardly, said linkmembers are arranged and adapted to elevate said plate members, and

said means comprising an elongated slotted bracket member disposed atthe undersides of said plate members and having outer open ends toslidingly receive said cross members.

2. A foldable seating structure in connection with a foldable table suchasis hinged centrally transversely thereof to fold upwardly and having acentral hinged support comprising a pair of central supporting legs andhaving a pair of supporting legs adjacent each end thereof, each pair ofsaid supporting legs being disposed transversely of said table, havingin combination a pair of brackets extending outwardly of each of saidcentral supporting legs, said brackets each having secured at the outerends thereof floor engaging supporting legs,

said floor engaging legs each comprising a pair of vertically disposedinterengaging members arranged and constructed to have relative verticalmovement,

the upper of each of said interengaged members carrying hinge means,

said supporting legs adjacent each end of said table comprisingupstanding supporting legs with each of said supporting legs having across member at the top thereof disposed in a direction transversely ofsaid table,

a seat for each side of said table, each of said seats comprising a pairof elongated plate members,

the adjacent ends of each pair of said plate members being respectivelysecured to said hinge means,

means in connection with the remote end portions of each of said platemembers respectively slidingly receiving and accommodating said crossmembers,

a pair of link members connecting the adjacent ends of each pair of saidplate members with each of the lower of said interengaged members,

each pair of said link members being spaced apart at their points ofattachment with said plate members and with regard to their respectivelengths that when said table and seats are folded upwardly, said linkmembers are arranged and adapted to elevate said plate members, and

said means comprising an elongated channel member disposed at theundersides of said plate members to slidingly receive said crossmembers.

1. A foldable seating structure in connection with a foldable table suchas is hinged centrally transversely thereof to fold upwardly and havinga central hinged support comprising a pair of central supporting legsand having a pair of supporting legs adjacent each end thereof, eachpair of said supporting legs being disposed transversely of said table,having in combination a pair of brackets extending outwardly of each ofsaid central supporting legs, said brackets each having secured at theouter ends thereof floor Engaging supporting legs, said floor engaginglegs each comprising a pair of vertically disposed interengaging membersarranged and constructed to have relative vertical movement, the upperof each of said interengaged members carrying hings means, saidsupporting legs adjacent each end of said table comprise upstandingsupporting legs with each of said supporting legs having a cross memberat the top thereof disposed in a direction transversely of said table, aseat for each side of said table, each of said seats comprising a pairof elongated plate members, the adjacent ends of each pair of said platemembers being respectively secured to said hinge means, means inconnection with the remote end portions of each of said plate membersrespectively slidingly receiving and accommodating said cross members, apair of link members connecting the adjacent ends of each pair of saidplate members with each of the lower of said interengaged members, eachpair of said link members being spaced apart at their points ofattachment with said plate members and with regard to their respectivelengths that when said table with seats are folded upwardly, said linkmembers are arranged and adapted to elevate said plate members, and saidmeans comprising an elongated slotted bracket member disposed at theundersides of said plate members and having outer open ends to slidinglyreceive said cross members.
 2. A foldable seating structure inconnection with a foldable table such as is hinged centrallytransversely thereof to fold upwardly and having a central hingedsupport comprising a pair of central supporting legs and having a pairof supporting legs adjacent each end thereof, each pair of saidsupporting legs being disposed transversely of said table, having incombination a pair of brackets extending outwardly of each of saidcentral supporting legs, said brackets each having secured at the outerends thereof floor engaging supporting legs, said floor engaging legseach comprising a pair of vertically disposed interengaging membersarranged and constructed to have relative vertical movement, the upperof each of said interengaged members carrying hinge means, saidsupporting legs adjacent each end of said table comprising upstandingsupporting legs with each of said supporting legs having a cross memberat the top thereof disposed in a direction transversely of said table, aseat for each side of said table, each of said seats comprising a pairof elongated plate members, the adjacent ends of each pair of said platemembers being respectively secured to said hinge means, means inconnection with the remote end portions of each of said plate membersrespectively slidingly receiving and accommodating said cross members, apair of link members connecting the adjacent ends of each pair of saidplate members with each of the lower of said interengaged members, eachpair of said link members being spaced apart at their points ofattachment with said plate members and with regard to their respectivelengths that when said table and seats are folded upwardly, said linkmembers are arranged and adapted to elevate said plate members, and saidmeans comprising an elongated channel member disposed at the undersidesof said plate members to slidingly receive said cross members.